Quite possibly the worst thing about Google deciding to announce the impending closure of Google Reader was their timing of it… The announced it on the same day that my grandfather passed away.
Which makes me feel like I’m the biggest asshole on the face of the planet because at the current moment, I’m about ten times more bereft over the fact that Google is taking away a service that’s been the literal staple of my life since in launched in 2005.
It’s not that I actually am. It’s just that I process death of a loved one at the pace of a sloth in slow motion, so I don’t expect I’ll be leaving the first stage of grief anytime soon…
Whereas with Google Reader, I skipped denial and guilt entirely and have honed right in on anger and bargaining.
I get it. Google Reader is one of those services that doesn’t exactly have a wide market appeal.
I mean, sure… If you looked at my Twitter feed, you’d think the Google had just announced that they started the apocalypse but that’s because I happen to follow geeks that are stuck loving their simple method of doing stuff that was cutting edge six years ago and bloggers who just wanted a simple way to follow other bloggers without junking up their social media or their inbox.
Normal everyday people don’t know nor care what Google Reader is, and the truth is… there’s a lot more money in catering to all of those people who are not bloggers and geeks.
I have yet to form an exit strategy from Google Reader yet… I’m on the prowl for an acceptable solution. I’ll let you know when I find one.
I’m a big fan of bloglovin!
I think its pretty easy to use and if you have the crome extension it even notifies you when something updates. Plus its easy to just hit “read all” when you dont want to be reminded of what you have to read
Ashley Hufford recently posted..The Franklin Fountain
Oooo I didn’t know about the Chrome extension for Bloglovin’. I’m on it! Thanks for that!
Aubrey recently posted..Giveaways Galore!!
I am sorry for the loss of your grandfather and I completely understand a delayed grief reaction! I found out the other day when I logged into Google reader about the closing and it threw me for a loop that I am still stuck in just thinking about finding a replacement. But, perhaps I became too dependent upon reading feeds because I think this is the first time in months that I have bothered to click through to any blog and leave a comment much less view layout and template changes lol
Christina recently posted..Start Planning Your Trip
GIrl! Get on bloglovin!! I am there!!
This is like, the worst change that has happened on the internet. I have never tried other readers because of the simplicity of GR, it does everything I need without getting all fancy and changing things all the time. I actually found theoldreader.com which seems to be about the same, so I think I’m going to stick with that for now. I might give bloglovin’ a try too since I know so many people use it, just to see how it compares.
Oh, and here is an interesting graph to give you an idea of how many people use GR: http://www.buzzfeed.com/jwherrman/google-reader-still-sends-far-more-traffic-than-google
P.S. So sorry to hear about your Grandpa.
mandy recently posted..Stuff & Links
I’m so sorry about your grandfather. I don’t speak to my grandfather, haven’t in over a decade, so I can’t possibly imagine how you feel.
I agree with the above comment, Bloglovin’ is a great tool! It’s what I use.
Personally I’m glad they got rid of reader and they announced it a while back so I’m unsure why so many people are shocked by it. Just like GFC will eventually go away because they have pretty much hinted at that but I bet people will be shocked when that comes too. I’m not saying you are shocked, just the majority of what I’m reading in my G+ and Twitter feed. Le sigh.
I think it was a wise business decision by them because they can put more focus into Google+. It’s my understanding that they will be incorporating RSS into G+, so I’m very interested to see how that works. The more I can have things all one one place the happier I am. I’m a big fan of simplicity.
Aubrey recently posted..Giveaways Galore!!
Hey, thinking about you & your loss(es).
I was a pretty late adopter of GR, but now I use it every day! My partner is definitely more broken up over the loss, but I do find it inconvenient. I signed up for feedly and I like it. He has some issues with it, but that’s probably where he’ll land. He also signed up for The Old Reader, but they’re not prepared for so many folks to be using the system so it’s really slow.
wonderseeker recently posted..Taking my time–easier said than done!
Bloglovin all the way!
Elyse recently posted..CHOCOLATE DIABLO BROWNIES
I am so sorry for your loss!
oh man, I’m sorry about your grandpa.
I understand your feelings about Google Reader, using it for 8 years! it’s always a bit of a pain to change, but more so after that long. I really avoided readers for a long time because I hate that they kind of discourage commenting. Do you know of anything that lets you comment directly in the reader? now that would be handy…
christina recently posted..Why I’m Sorta Glad Google Reader Is Going Away and What We’re Using Now
Sorry for your loss girlie, I was really close to my grandparents on my Mum’s side so it hit me pretty hard. I think when my Dad’s side passes, It’s going to be pretty delayed.
I’m totally pissed about GReader, but Bloglovin’ is doing for now. The OldReader too, but that’s bogged down by refugees, so I’m backburnering that one for a little while. BlogLovin’ needs keyboard shortcuts and then I’ll be a happy camper.
Sara recently posted..The Time[s] I Thought I Was Going To Die #scintilla13
1) So sorry to hear about your grandfather<3
2) This GR stuff SUCKS. So upset. I have no idea what I'm going to do (I do not like BlogLovin', tried it a while ago). And to dump GR for Google+, which no one I know likes anyway, is just stupid. Ergh. Looking forward to seeing if you find a worthwhile replacement!
Delightfully Awkward Brittany recently posted..Currently: 3/18/13
1. My sympathies. <3
2. I've been using feedly. It's sooo pretty and it automatically imports all your Google Reader subs! I really like it. Speaking of, I DON'T THINK I HAVE YOU IN MY FEED I need to fix that right now.
Ronni recently posted..Hooray For Hollywood–Studios, That Is!